Form settings control where responses are stored, how forms behave, and what users see during submission. These global configurations apply to the entire form and affect all users who access it.
Accessing Form Settings
Click anywhere on the form canvas outside individual fields to open the Form settings panel on the right. This panel remains open until you select a specific field for editing.
The settings panel organizes options into four sections: Dataset, Visible datasets, Settings, and Basemap. Changes save automatically as you configure each option.
Dataset Configuration
Target Dataset
The Dataset dropdown determines where form responses are stored. Select a dataset from your workspace to establish the connection between form submissions and your data table.
All form fields must map to columns in the selected dataset. Changing the dataset after building fields may break field connections if column names do not match.
Visible Datasets
The "Select datasets" dropdown controls which datasets users can see while filling out the form. This setting is useful when form submissions reference or relate to existing data.
Users with appropriate permissions can view selected datasets during form completion. This allows them to see context or avoid duplicate submissions.
Settings Section
Title
The form title appears at the top of the form and in browser tabs. Choose a clear, specific title that describes the form's purpose and the type of data being collected.
Keep titles concise while being descriptive. Users should immediately understand what the form is for when they see the title.
Description
The description appears below the title and provides additional context about the form. Explain what information is being collected, why it matters, and any important instructions users should know.
Use the description to set expectations about how long the form takes or what information users need before starting.
Public
Enable the Public toggle to allow anyone with the form link to submit responses. Disable it to restrict access to authenticated workspace members only.
Public forms are ideal for community surveys, feedback collection, and crowdsourced data. Private forms work better for internal team workflows and sensitive data collection.
The info icon next to this setting provides additional details about access control and sharing permissions.
Auto Approve Responses
Enable Auto approve responses to immediately publish submissions to your dataset without review. Disable it to require manual approval for each submission.
Auto approval works well for trusted users and low-risk data. Manual approval provides quality control when collecting public submissions or sensitive information.
The info icon explains the approval workflow and how to review pending submissions.
Feature Input Types
Feature input types control what geometric data users can add to form submissions. Enable the types that match your collection needs:
- Point: Single location markers for specific addresses, observations, or events
- Line: Linear features like roads, trails, utility lines, or routes
- Polygon: Area features like property boundaries, zones, or coverage areas
Enable only the geometry types you need. Too many options confuse users and lead to inconsistent submissions.
Forms can collect geometry alongside tabular data or purely collect tabular information with no geographic component by leaving all types disabled.
Redirect URI
The Redirect URI field specifies where users are sent after successful form submission. Enter a complete URL starting with https:// to redirect to external pages.
Leave blank to keep users on the confirmation page. Use redirects to return users to your main website or show related content.
Submission Message
The submission message displays to users after they successfully submit the form. Customize this message to thank users, explain next steps, or provide additional information.
The default message confirms successful submission and mentions review if auto-approval is disabled. Personalize it to match your form's purpose and your organization's tone.
Basemap Configuration
The "Select basemap" dropdown determines the background map shown if your form includes map interactions or location selection. Choose a basemap that provides relevant context for the features users are submitting.
Street maps work well for urban features and address-based submissions. Satellite imagery helps users identify landscape features and property boundaries. Topographic maps support outdoor and terrain-based data collection.
The basemap setting only affects forms that collect geometric data through enabled feature input types.
Configuration Best Practices
Connect your form to the dataset before building fields. This ensures field options match your data table structure and prevents connection issues.
Enable Public only when necessary and appropriate for your data. Public forms increase participation but reduce control over who submits information.
Disable auto-approval for public forms collecting important data. Manual review catches spam, errors, and inappropriate submissions before they enter your dataset.
Enable only the feature input types required for your use case. A form collecting building inspections needs only points. A form mapping hiking trails needs only lines.
Write submission messages that tell users what happens next. If submissions require approval, explain the timeline. If data appears on a map, tell users where to find it.
Test your form settings before sharing. Submit test responses as both authenticated and public users to verify permissions, approvals, and redirects work as expected.
Keep form titles and descriptions up to date. Update them when the form's purpose changes or when you add new fields that expand data collection scope.
